With that album, he became an official member of the Wu-Tang Killa Beez, and from there on out, he frequently appeared on Wu records. In 1996, he played a large role on Ghostface Killah's Ironman.
During 1997, his Wu affiliation continued, as he rapped on the Clan's second album, Wu-Tang Forever.
Cappadonna's solo debut, The Pillage, finally appeared in March 1998. Like any Wu project, the record featured RZA as the executive producer and cameos from a number of other Wu members, including Method Man, U-God, Ghostface Killah, and Raekwon. As the sixth Wu solo project, the album was an instant success upon its release, debuting at number three on the charts.
A sophomore effort, The Yin and the Yang, followed in early 2001. His third and latest album, The Struggle, was released on Code:Red in 2003.
The MC remained active in the following years releasing mix-CDs, doing tours and joining Ghostface Killah’s Theodore Unit. But his official comeback came at the end of 2007 on the Wu-Tang Clan’s fifth studio album 8 Diagrams. Cappa blessed the opening cut with an extraordinary verse and showed up on two other songs.
Cappadonna inked a deal with new indie label Chambermusik Records/Koch in 2008. Old and new fans have been asking for new Cappadonna ever since and on January 27, 2009, their wait will be over with the release of Slang Prostitution.
Three Knives
Cappadonna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They call me 3rd Diglah, Respect me dun
It's been a long time coming but I'm here now
Make way I got no time for your funny style
Fake ways, Jake prey on us but we duck down, Stay low
Gats don't sit in the pocket money, Cause they blow
Aaaa-ohh, Who got a problem with mouth and they go
Keep talking rip you apart, Like you was Legos
Yea-Yo is the path, I get cash for rapping serious
Stay low with the crabs while my swag keep cabbies curious
I'm smacking on these fags and the game envy is serious
Me and my camp low, Move out like a stamp go
All around the World and I-yi-yi-yi, I spit that gat flow
Nobody never told you how I be the building
And burning piff with my niggas and a couple of children
Getting gwap, Tryna stack my cheese, Nigga please
This is fairy boat Lo, That be shooting the breeze
You know my O-U-T fit nice on, My boys they whyle out
And blam when they lifting they right arm
All up in the ghetto in night bombs, I right wrongs
I'm House Gang just like an urban icon
Catch me on a bus with my chain and my ice on
I'm looking real yes like I'm getting my fight on
I'm nine-eleven, Who be throwing them pipe bombs
A nigga from the Stat that be making his rights wrong
You know the kid hard, Never do light songs
I roll with the Stones but on the road them white cons
Lingerer zoo part two with a nice blonde
Fuck around say something, You end up your life's gone
New York City, Power-ffinalia
We come through where the feds'll tell ya
We the largest rap group that ever lived
Shaolin for the kids
Round house, Black belts, And beards
Verrazano Bridge talk, Moon walk
Thrity-six clips of hard shit, Hard bricks
New York City and Shaolin, Niggas'll get hit with hard licks
Throw your towel in, Five niggas whyle'n
Nigga we keep on style'n, Cut em up into a half a gallon
More money, More murder, It's the beat swerver
Diglah with the fly handle, I break beats down and I dismantle
Anyone of ya'll niggas'll get shot, My mic is the glock
Words'll pop in your head like various speed knots
Come on with it, Come on get it, Long did-ick
Cappadon of the fat outfits, crazy fitted
Straight Park Hill, Bark is I'll, Sparkling grill
Niggas with the hood shit, Taste the skill
Shaolin slash Wu-Tang, Darts'll bang
Never forget where you come from, Respect my game
Yo let's move, We gotta be out, one
In the first verse, Cappadonna introduces himself as 'Secular rap, second to none' and his nickname '3rd Diglah', both of which are attempts to establish his prominence in the rap game. He goes on to talk about the challenges he faced before making it, and how he is now ready to show his authentic self. He speaks of the violence and deception prevalent in his environment, and how he has learned to navigate it to survive. The second verse is about his life and experiences, including hanging out and getting high with his friends, trying to earn money, and standing up for what's right. He also talks about his association with the Wu-Tang Clan and his loyalty to his roots.
The song has a gritty and raw vibe to it, with Cappadonna showcasing his unique flow and delivery. The lyricism is unapologetically street, with references to guns, drugs and violence. Cappadonna uses his words to paint a vivid picture of what it's like growing up in the hood, and how it shapes one's perspective and mentality.
Interestingly, despite being a solo artist, Cappadonna is often referred to as the unofficial tenth member of the Wu-Tang Clan, due to his frequent collaborations with the group. The song 'Three Knives' is a reference to the three blades Cappadonna carries with him at all times: a pocketknife, a butterfly knife, and a machete. The song was released on his album 'The Yin and the Yang' in 2001, and features production from RZA, True Master and Mathematics.
Line by Line Meaning
See me son, I'm secular rap, I'm second to none
I am a rapper who is not associated with any particular religious beliefs and I am unrivaled in my craft
They call me 3rd Diglah, Respect me dun
My name is 3rd Diglah and it demands respect
It's been a long time coming but I'm here now
It has taken a while but I have finally arrived
Make way I got no time for your funny style
Clear the way for me, I am too serious for your humorous ways
Fake ways, Jake prey on us but we duck down, Stay low
Deceitful practices and the police try to capture us, but we remain hidden
Gats don't sit in the pocket money, Cause they blow
Firearms do not remain idle because they can cause trouble
Aaaa-ohh, Who got a problem with mouth and they go
Anyone with a problem can speak up and deal with their issue
Keep talking rip you apart, Like you was Legos
If you keep running your mouth, you will be torn apart like building blocks
I tangle for the cash my flash is something furious
I fight in order to earn money and my flashy presence is intense
Yea-Yo is the path, I get cash for rapping serious
My music is the road to financial success and I take rapping seriously
Stay low with the crabs while my swag keep cabbies curious
I stick with the bad influence while my stylish demeanor keeps taxi drivers intrigued
I'm smacking on these fags and the game envy is serious
I am beating up my challengers and the competition is severely envious
Me and my camp low, Move out like a stamp go
My team stays hidden, and moves out quickly like a postage stamp
All around the World and I-yi-yi-yi, I spit that gat flow
My powerful rapping style is heard everywhere and it is based on violent imagery
Nobody never told you how I be the building
You were never informed that I am always present
And burning piff with my niggas and a couple of children
Smoking marijuana with my friends, including some minors
Getting gwap, Tryna stack my cheese, Nigga please
Trying to gain money, constantly investing, stop with the insults
This is fairy boat Lo, That be shooting the breeze
This is Easy Street, where we casually chat
You know my O-U-T fit nice on, My boys they whyle out
You know that I dress well and my friends are unpredictable
And blam when they lifting they right arm
And they shoot a weapon when they raise their right arm
All up in the ghetto in night bombs, I right wrongs
I am in the midst of many criminals, but I set things right
I'm House Gang just like an urban icon
I am with a gang of associates like a trendy public figure
Catch me on a bus with my chain and my ice on
You can find me on a bus wearing my ostentatious jewelry
I'm looking real yes like I'm getting my fight on
I appear extremely combative like I am preparing for a battle
I'm nine-eleven, Who be throwing them pipe bombs
I am dangerous, like a terrorist throwing pipe bombs
A nigga from the Stat that be making his rights wrong
I am from Staten Island, and I am always causing trouble
You know the kid hard, Never do light songs
You know I am tough and my music is always intense
I roll with the Stones but on the road them white cons
I am part of the Rolling Stones crew, but while on the road I hang out with white criminals
Lingerer zoo part two with a nice blonde
I am in a Zoo York New York City park with an attractive blonde
Fuck around say something, You end up your life's gone
If you continue to play around with me, your life will be in danger
New York City, Power-ffinalia
New York City is full of power, energy and significance
We come through where the feds'll tell ya
We show up in places where the government agencies are aware
We the largest rap group that ever lived
We are the biggest rap group ever to exist
Shaolin for the kids
Shaolin music for the younger generation
Round house, Black belts, And beards
Displaying martial arts moves, expertise and long beards
Verrazano Bridge talk, Moon walk
Discussions about Verrazano Bridge and Michael Jackson dance moves
Thrity-six clips of hard shit, Hard bricks
Mafia movie-like gun clips and heavily used bricks of drugs
New York City and Shaolin, Niggas'll get hit with hard licks
In New York and Shaolin, people will be severely beaten
Throw your towel in, Five niggas whyle'n
Surrender and give up, five individuals are crazy and unpredictable
Nigga we keep on style'n, Cut em up into a half a gallon
We keep looking good while we make someone else's existence smaller
More money, More murder, It's the beat swerver
The more money we earn, the more violence we commit to attain that money
Diglah with the fly handle, I break beats down and I dismantle
I am the skilled rapper with excellent production skills that break down others
Anyone of ya'll niggas'll get shot, My mic is the glock
I will shoot any one of you with my microphone as a weapon
Words'll pop in your head like various speed knots
The words I say to you will make your head spin and scramble your thoughts
Come on with it, Come on get it, Long did-ick
Bring it on, let's go, it will be a long journey
Cappadon of the fat outfits, crazy fitted
I am Cappadonna with big, fancy clothes, looking incredulous
Straight Park Hill, Bark is I'll, Sparkling grill
Straight out of Park Hill, I am a skilled rapper with flashy jewelry
Niggas with the hood shit, Taste the skill
I am with street-savvy people, try to learn from me
Shaolin slash Wu-Tang, Darts'll bang
Shaolin representing Wu-Tang, and we will perform power moves
Never forget where you come from, Respect my game
Always remember where you originate from, and respect my unique style
Yo let's move, We gotta be out, one
Let's go, we have to leave now, goodbye
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Katina Shellington
They punished this beat. Stay grinding! Baltimore to Staten Island...
Gordon Boyle
SHAOLIN is for the kids
Polly Shadow
peace brother